diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/phy-c45.c b/drivers/net/phy/phy-c45.c
index a1caeee12236..bceb0dcdecbd 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/phy-c45.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/phy-c45.c
@@ -239,9 +239,10 @@ int genphy_c45_read_link(struct phy_device *phydev)
 
 		/* The link state is latched low so that momentary link
 		 * drops can be detected. Do not double-read the status
-		 * in polling mode to detect such short link drops.
+		 * in polling mode to detect such short link drops except
+		 * the link was already down.
 		 */
-		if (!phy_polling_mode(phydev)) {
+		if (!phy_polling_mode(phydev) || !phydev->link) {
 			val = phy_read_mmd(phydev, devad, MDIO_STAT1);
 			if (val < 0)
 				return val;
diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
index 9d0a306f0562..35ade5d21de5 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
@@ -1766,9 +1766,10 @@ int genphy_update_link(struct phy_device *phydev)
 
 	/* The link state is latched low so that momentary link
 	 * drops can be detected. Do not double-read the status
-	 * in polling mode to detect such short link drops.
+	 * in polling mode to detect such short link drops except
+	 * the link was already down.
 	 */
-	if (!phy_polling_mode(phydev)) {
+	if (!phy_polling_mode(phydev) || !phydev->link) {
 		status = phy_read(phydev, MII_BMSR);
 		if (status < 0)
 			return status;